Sign.



E. BAMBEOK.

SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, 1911.

1,046,586, Patented Dad. 10, 1912.

a La

3141mm to:

2 human aktozmugl EDWARD BAMBECK, or'cAnron, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR r0 AMERICAN sren COMPANY, or -KAI .AMAzoo, -MIGHIGAN.

SIGN.

Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented Dec. 10, 1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD BAMBECK,& citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Canton, county of Stark, and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in signs.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a sign in which the sign indicia or sign characters are formed of lenses with improved means for securing the lenses, and one in which the parts are economically produced, are very quickly and easily assembled and when assembled are secure and substantially tight joints are formed between the lenses of the openings in the sign face plate in which they are inserted.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my'invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this invention, in which:

Figure I is a detail front elevation of a sign embodying features of my invention shown mainly in conventional form. Fig. II is an enlarged detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. I the lens being shown in full lines. Fig. III is a detail rear view of the face plate and one. of the lenses, the lens being partially seated or screwed into place. Fig. IV is a detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. III. Fig. V is a detail section of the face plate, the lens being indicated in one of the lens openings by a dotted line, the lens being shown in its seated position. Fig. VI is a detail perspective of a portion of the face plate showing one of the lens openings.

In the'drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direct-ion of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawing, 1 is the sheet metal face plate of a sign. The details of the sign casing are not shown as they form no part of my present invention. The face plate is in practice a' wall of the casing in which the illuminating lamps, preferably electric, are inclosed. The casing structure is preferably that shown in my Patent No.

1,030,449, issued June 25, 1912.

The lenses 2 are arranged in the face plate n groups to form the sign characters or lndi'cia, or to produce any other suitable design or outline. The lenses 2 are convex and provided with cylindricai shanks 3.

space betweenthe inner end of the thread and shoulder being substantially the thickness of the face plate.

The extreme inner end of the thread is preferably deflected away from the shoul d'er (see Figs. I and V). When the thread engaging members 8 pass off the inner end of the thread they spring together, that is,

toward each other, so that the edges of the.

slit 6 are brought together. The lens is preferably turned to bring the slit into the space between the shoulder and the inner end of the thread as shown in Fig. V, there.-

by completely closing the slit and bringing the members 8, edge to edge. This locks the lens in place and it can be'removed only with great difliculty. The shoulder rests against the face plate throughout the circumference of the lens, and the lens is held firmly in position, tight joints being provided without the a1d of gaskets. Further, the lensesare very easily inserted and there is little liability of breaking them while inserting as they are subjected to but little strain and after they are seated they can be turned around and around without subjecting them to undue strain.

To facilitate inserting the lenses, they are preferably provided with opposed notches 9 in the edges of their heads which may be engaged with a suitable tool for screwint. them into place.

The shanks of the lenses are-preferably provided with concaviti'es which extend into the heads as indicated so that the walls of the lenses are of substantially even thickness v As no gaskets orother means for maintaining the lenses in place and making tight joints are required, there is nothing to detract from the appearance of the lenses or obstruct the light passing through at any angle. This is of great advantage is signs of thischaracter as one ofthe main'objects sought is to provide a sign in which the effeet of electnc lamps is secured.

The parts are very economically produced and easily and quickly assembled without liability of breaking and; when assembled are very secure and there is no visible securing meansto detract from the appearance of the $1 s.

f lavin thus describedmy invention, what I c aim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' 1. A sign comprising aface plate of sheet metal containing a substantially circular opening having a slit atone side thereof;

and a lens provided with a shoulder ar-v ranged to'contact withthe side of the plate and with a shank having a screw thread, there being a space between the inner end of the thread and the shoulder, the width of the space being substantially-the thickness ofthe face late,'the edges of the slit be ing separa to receive the thread during the seating of the lens and bein [closed again, by the thread and shed er and mped therebetween. when the lensv is seated.

2. A sign comprising a face plate of sheet metal containing a substantially circular" opening haviiig a slitat one side there- 0 the edges of the slit being deflected,

laterally to provide thread engaging members; and a lens provided with a shoulder arranged to contact the side of the plate and a shank' having a screw thread thereon, there being a spacebetween the inner end of the thread and the shoulder of substantially the thickness of the face plate,

said thread engaging .members being 5.0

brou ht substantlally into ,the plane of the ace plate between the shoulder andthe inner end of the thread when the lens is seated.

3. A sign comprising a face plate of sheet metal containing a substantially circular opening with coacting thread engaging members formed at one si ethereof; and a my hand and seal in the Presence of two witnesses. I a v EDWARD BAMBECK'. 14s.

Witnesses: I

' N. J. BAUMANN, C. M. DAVIS. 

